Functional tests assessing manual skills in children with cerebral palsy

Background The aim of the study is to analyze and identify available functional tests assessing manual skills in children with cerebral palsy, as well as to describe and evaluate usefulness of the available tests in terms of qualitative and quantitative assessment of hand function. Materials and methods A review of all available functional scales assessing manual functions in children with cerebral palsy was conducted. Searches were made in the following electronic databases: Medline, PubMed and Cochrane Library. The analysis included all the researched scales related to the upper limb function and cerebral palsy. Results The content, methodology and application of 11 functional tests were compared. All available published research studies presented the reliability and validity of the assessment tools. Conclusions Scales used to assess manual functions in children with CP are to systemize child's abilities to complement the diagnosis, detect existing dysfunctions and to determine prognostic significance